Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Wednesday ( tomorrow) is Anzac Day here in New Zealand and in Australia. This is the day for us to all take some time and remember those men and women, young and old, who experienced the horrors of war. Not only the First and Second World Wars, but also those who fought in Korea and Vietnam, and those who are still today involved in peace keeping duties around the world, fighting a different type of war.

Anzac stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps, and to us here in New Zealand and over in Australia it signifies those years when both our countries fought side by side to give us the life stlye that we have today.

For us, as a family, it is a time to reflect on those people who fought in the war. My Uncle Ivan, who I never knew, was killed in the Second World War, in the then Yugoslavia aged 18years.

Pop, my father-in-law, who experienced the horrors first hand, was in the Merchant Navy ( having tried at 15yrs to join the Navy and told to "bugger off lad you're way to young") but lied his way into the Merchant Navy. This year will be difficult for us all as it is the first Anzac Day without Nan. I know that Pop will struggle with all the emotions tomorrow, remembering the war, and not having Nan here as his support.

Nan and Pop Anzac Day 2011

Taken at the War Memorial here in Waiuku - 2011

The Red Poppy has become a symbol to us of those years, to all of the men and women, not only those in the military, but also those who stayed home and worked on the farms, in the factories, they also played a huge part in the war effort and should not be forgotten.

It is important to make sure that our children and grandchildren understand the importance of remembering this day.